Dôle Balavaud Grand Cru

In stock

Winemakers: Cave Jean-René Germanier

Switzerland Valais

This is a very balanced and harmonious red wine that pairs well with white and red meats including dried and cured meats. Perfect example of Dôle.

Winemaker	Cave Jean Rene Germanier
Features	Organic, Unoaked, Low Intervention, "Slow Wine", Vegetarian and Vegan
Style	Red, Still, Dry, Blend
Varieties	Alpine Wines Grape Varieties: Dôle Blend

Qty

Dole Balavaud Grand Cru 2018 75cl cl

£29.84

Store		Availability
London Warehouse		Plenty in Warehouse
Alpine Wines HQ		4 at HQ

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More about

Dôle - a traditional Swiss blend which combines the elegance and body of Pinot Noir with the fruitiness and structure of Gamay.

Dôle is to Valais reds what Fendant is to white - a staple offering in the region. Skiers in the Valais are equally likely to have come across this wine as they are to have encountered Fendant.

If you're going to drink a red with Swiss melted cheese dishes like raclette or fondue, make it Dôle.

Wine Details

Style	Red, Still, Dry, Blend
Winemaker	Cave Jean Rene Germanier
Country	Switzerland
Region	Valais
Features	Organic, Unoaked, Low Intervention, "Slow Wine", Vegetarian and Vegan
AOC	AOC Valais
Aged In	Steel
Closure	Natural Cork
Varieties	Dôle Blend, Gamay, Pinot Noir
Composition	Dôle Blend: Pinot Noir, Gamay
Ripeness	Normal
Winemaking	Low Added Sulphur, Malolactic

Serving Suggestions

White or red meat and cheese.

Tasting Notes

Tasting Notes

The blend brings harmony and balance. It is very light red in colour. It has a complex nose of cherries, raspberries, strawberries and spices which also come through on the palate. Medium-bodied, smooth and easy drinking. The Pinot brings finesse and earthiness while the Gamay brings fruit and structure. This wine has complex fruit aromas and is rich with spicy notes with a long finish. It is an intriguing wine as it does not taste like a Pinot Noir or a Gamay. It has its own unique identity and the two grape varieties pair well.

Vintages

2018
Product Code	41GR0318
Size	75cl
Alcohol	12.5
Last Tasted	22 Sept 2021
mature evolution?	No
Case Size	6
Closure	(not set yet)
In a nutshell	New vintage just arrived!

2016
Product Code	41GR0316
Size	75cl
Alcohol	13

2014
Product Code	4116017
Size	75cl
Alcohol	12.5

2011
Product Code	4113044
Size	75cl
Alcohol	12.5

Bought Together

Reviews 2

Dôle is a well known Valaisian red wine, not a grape variety as such, rather a blend of Pinot Noir and Gamay (and occasionally with a very small percentage of other grapes). To qualify as Dôle, natural sugar levels in the constituent grapes must pass certain levels. However, within this simple definition there is a wide variety of offerings. The ratio of the two varieties varies from 51% Pinot Noir, 49% Gamay through to 100% Pinot Noir. Generally speaking, the wines with higher proportions of Pinot Noir are better and as we follow the river Rhône westwards towards Lake Geneva, the proportion of Pinot Noir gradually decreases. Also, since 1993 growers have been allowed to add 10% of other grape types. There is speculation as to whether this is a good thing with optimists contending that the addition of varieties such as Syrah will improve overall quality - time will tell. Dôle can vary in quality from a light insipid confected wine right through to lovely complex and long lasting examples - serious stuff indeed. The best examples are from the area around Chamoson and Sierre.